I really am - I mean did you think we'd get through it with so much strength? I received cards and words of support from a lot of people from different parts of my life. It's really been so awesome to read your words, hear your voices or just know you were thinking of me. There are not enough words to thank you.
My nurse and new pal Donna was so happy for my last visit to oncology for chemo. We had a little last-day sweets (fruit salad to get in one of our 5 a day!) and I made a little card thanking her simply as I could. Her gentle care was paramount to my getting through the 8 treatments as well as I did. She told me truthful answers to my questions, prepared me for what to expect and supported me. She liked using the stickers I made for the drug bags and shared them with other patients. (On a side note, Donna shared them with a total grump of a patient this time who SO didn't appreciate it. She didn't seem to even LOOK at the stickers we shared to boost her Eeyore mood. Whatever. You can't help some people I guess).
It's a little surreal knowing that I am done with chemo. And that I am standing strong at the other side. My hair is beginning to return in it's very light peach-fuzz stage right now filling in among the sparse "long" hairs left from the shave job. Someday I might have as much hair as Martin. ; )
Anyway, today, Saturday, I am going to a family reunion my Grandmother has each year at the Lake house. I haven't been in 10 years. My kids haven't been. It'll be interesting to see who shows up. Cousins that are slightly removed who we'd see there once yearly -people I grew up around. And then next weekend I'm looking forward to gathering girlfriends who are available to join us on Sunday for the "Hat's and Scarves" party. It's nothing major - just a gathering and I'd love for as many of you to join us as possible but it will not be the only party to celebrate getting through this. Consider it a warm up. Stretching the party muscles to prep for the Big One on the other side - sometime after the 1 year anniversary (April 5) of the diagnosis and the day I started my journey as a cancer survivor.
So with cute painted toe nails and Vera Bradley flip-flops I will be among family and friends today getting ready for Sloan-Kettering on Tuesday. Mentally preparing and writing down questions and objectives. And then soon I'll know what the next steps are to endure. And I know where I stand in the center of a circle of friendships and love. We're doing it.
3 comments:
it's so much more fun to be a Tigger rather than an Eeyore!
today i went back and started at the very beginning of when you started this blog while icing my hand. we should all be ambidextrous, ya know?
what a journey, jenn. i read that there is an inevitable "let down" once chemo has ended since you have been caught up in a whirlwind of activity since hearing your diagnosis.
please be gentle with your swee4t self during this period of readjusting while simultaneously gearing up for the next round of decisions for you and your shadow (gentle smile).
know that you are loved and supported far and wide,
cherie
this post is for kama.
a 1,000 profuse "thank you's" for taking your time to create a most memorable ending for jenn's journey with chemo.
i would have paid big $$$'s to see the expression(s) on your sister's lovely countenance while you read the "contributions" you requested.
it is easy to ascertain that the DNA fruit, as it were, does not fall too far from the familial tree.
with gratitude,
~ c
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